Discover the North/South Trail – South in Land Between the Lakes

The South End of the North/South Trail is the quieter, generally easier half of the long route through Land Between the Lakes. It runs about 27 miles between the Golden Pond area and the South Welcome Station, with access from several Forest Service roads. This is a hiker-only trail except for a shared equestrian section between Road 342 and the Homeplace.

What the South End is like

The southern terrain is gentler than the more rugged North End, but this is still a backcountry route rather than a continuous park path. Road crossings and connector trails make shorter outings possible. Carry the official map, note the road number at the vehicle and do not rely on mobile service for navigation.

Current detour

The Forest Service reports that part of the South End and the North/South–Fort Henry Connector remain closed after tornado damage and subsequent operations. The marked detour uses part of Woodlands Trace and Forest Service Road 221. Conditions and closure limits can change, so open the official trail page before every trip.

Before setting out

• Download the current South End map and save it offline.
• Arrange a shuttle for a point-to-point hike or choose a clearly mapped out-and-back section.
• Carry all drinking water; natural sources are not reliable and require treatment.
• Check hunting seasons, weather and current alerts.
• Use only legal campsites and follow current permit and backcountry rules.

Check the official trail description, detour and map.

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